Vanguard Audio Labs

Vanguard Audio Labs We make innovative, high-quality professional studio microphones that won't break your bank account.

Getting capsule mounting done in a Vanguard V24 order - twin matched Australian-made Beesneez true CK12s! The capsule is...
06/04/2026

Getting capsule mounting done in a Vanguard V24 order - twin matched Australian-made Beesneez true CK12s! The capsule is 80% of a microphone's sound, and these capsules are a delight to the ears.

One of the simple things I love that Ben does with his capsules is use socket hex screws instead of the traditional (and irritatingly finicky) flathead screws. It's a terrible feeling when a flathead screwdriver slips out and drags across the face of your expensive capsule. Another simple but crucial element that keeps me more sane is having 6 different colored wires for wiring up the capsule to the circuitboard. It doesn't completely prevent me from wiring a capsule backwards, but it gives me less excuses when I do!

This V24 is 90% done; first it goes to the laser engraver, then it's on to final calibration and testing!

I believe this is called "committing to the bit". Forever grateful to Brandon Sanderson for writing such powerfully real...
06/02/2026

I believe this is called "committing to the bit". Forever grateful to Brandon Sanderson for writing such powerfully real and relatable characters. The First Ideal is hidden throughout the circuitboards I design for our mics. There's some other fun Easter Eggs I hide on the PCBs too, from Dumbledore to Tom Petty. What's life if ya can't have fun?

💨🚬😮‍💨Vape pens are bad for your capsule. I don't know why I need to say this, but apparently I do.🚬💨😮‍💨I've had people t...
05/26/2026

💨🚬😮‍💨Vape pens are bad for your capsule. I don't know why I need to say this, but apparently I do.🚬💨😮‍💨

I've had people tell me "v**e pens won't cause capsule issues". Those people are wrong. The oils left over in the capsule cavity can still accumulate on the capsule and cause all sorts of fun noises!

This U87Ai came to me with mega moisture sensitivity. Even the slightest breath from 8" away would cause the capsule to get quiet, noisy, and dark and stay that way for tens of minutes.

This mic was bought used and the previous owner had clearly been va**ng near the mic. The smell around the mic grill and capsule was obvious (my nose told me he seemed to like a particular fruit flavor!). He also didn't use a pop filter, as seen by the 🧀Capsule Cheese™🧀 accumulated on the front diaphragm.

Smoke and v**e residue require serious cleaning and attention to detail, because the residue is EVERYWHERE and any bridging of the capsule components in this high-impedance area will cause problems. That means not just cleaning the diaphragm - the wires, the mount, the capsule surround, the screws, and the little plastic "hat" all need to get detailed. After the wet cleaning, I baked the capsule to remove any residual moisture and then sealed it with conformal coating and now i can't get ANY moisture-related noise out of it, even from a fogging breath 1" away.

Its back in action and happily recording and not causing its owner any more grief!

It ain’t easy bein’ cheesy 🧀🧀🧀 had to clear some noise-inducing Capsule Cheese™ from this lovely Soundelux 251, designed...
05/22/2026

It ain’t easy bein’ cheesy 🧀🧀🧀 had to clear some noise-inducing Capsule Cheese™ from this lovely Soundelux 251, designed by the inimitable David Bock. Swipe to see the improvements!

Omnifixo AB making replacement soldering on these thrice-cursed AKG 414 switches a breeze!
05/21/2026

Omnifixo AB making replacement soldering on these thrice-cursed AKG 414 switches a breeze!

On the repair bench - a pair of very minty AKG C414EB for a new switch and hunting down an intermittent "no signal" grem...
05/21/2026

On the repair bench - a pair of very minty AKG C414EB for a new switch and hunting down an intermittent "no signal" gremlin for !

Engineer gurus adore the EB because it was the last 414 to feature the "all-brass" CK12 capsule, as shown in the photo. I'm personally less of a fan - the DC-DC converter circuit is very touchy and features an unobtanium autoformer - the black circular part on the bottom right. The autoformer is what's used to derive the -60V, +60V, and -20V polarization for the capsule patterns from 48V phantom power. If the autoformer fails, you're stuck building a new converter from scratch.

In my opinion the better circuit is the C414EB P48, the subsequent version of the 414. It's still quite simple, but features a lower polarization voltage and doesn't require a custom autoformer. Despite the lower voltage, circuit improvements yield a better output level, cleaner distortion characteristics, and a lower noise floor! I regularly drop in a BeesNeez all-brass CK12 to the P48 verison and it sounds like a little slice of heaven. It's a fairly simple mod - I designed a 3D printed capsule mount and the soldering on the P48 is actually a bit more accessible.

As always, you can contact me at [email protected] for your mic repair needs.

Congratulations to Kip Wilson, our giveaway winner for the Locomotive/Vanguard signal chain combo!!For those who didn't ...
05/18/2026

Congratulations to Kip Wilson, our giveaway winner for the Locomotive/Vanguard signal chain combo!!

For those who didn't win - check your inbox for a consolation prize 😉

Many thanks to Locomotive Audio and everyone who entered!

🚨It's the last day to enter!🚨 Win a Locomotive Audio WT-COMP Compressor + Vanguard Audio Labs  V13 Tube Condenser Microp...
05/16/2026

🚨It's the last day to enter!🚨 Win a Locomotive Audio WT-COMP Compressor + Vanguard Audio Labs V13 Tube Condenser Microphone - a $2400 value!! 👉SIGN UP HERE: vanguardaudiolabs.com/springgiveaway

The winner will be announced on May 18!

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Anaheim, CA
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